Social Services Department

Contact Us

Director, Donna Douglas

E-mail: Donna.Douglas@dss.virginia.gov

Phone: (804) 365-4100

Fax: (804) 365-4110

Location: The Dept. of Social Services is located at the Human Services Center building on US Route 1 in Ashland, Virginia. 

Operating Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8:30a.m.-4:30p.m.;
Wednesday, 8:30a.m.-6:00p.m.

Functions of the Dept. of Social Services

The Dept. of Social Services offers a variety of benefit and service programs. The Dept. should be contacted to determine specific eligibility requirements for benefit and/or social service programs. Functions of the Dept. are handled by the following division and units:

• Family Resources Division
  Receives and processes initial applications for assistance and provides initial screening and assessments for other service needs by families. In addition, the division refers customers to employment related services, such as child day care and job training for TANF recipients, in order to make the family as self sufficient as possible.
   
• Permanency Unit and Family Support and Protection Unit
  These two units are responsible for adult, adoption, and foster care services (Permanency) and child and adult protection services (Family Support and Protection).
   
• Customer Service and Outreach Unit
  This unit oversees the provision of quality service by providing Hanover residents excellent customer service through community collaborations.  They process crisis and energy assistance and provide information and referrals to customers.
   
• How You Can Be Involved
  There are many ways for community individuals and groups to contribute their time and resources to those in need.
   

Vision, Mission, Value & Goals

Our Vision

A community where individuals and families are encouraged to access supportive human services to improve their quality of life.

Our Mission

Helping
Others…
Promoting
Empowerment

Our Values are

• Recognizing strengths.
• Responding to needs.
• Being service oriented.
• Being innovative and creative.
• Being a community partner.

Our Goals are to

• Promote safety, stability, and well-being (including independence, and personal responsibility) for children, families, and adults.
• Expand services and resources by maximizing all revenue and community sources.
• Provide excellent customer service by developing public trust.